Hello Everyone! Only last week, we launched No Man's Sky on a whole new platform, bringing the galaxy to Mac owners everywhere! 2023 has already been an extremely busy year for our small team. Fractal brought full native support for PSVR2, alongside a spread of accessibility and quality of life features, while the accompanying Utopia expedition experimented with a unique twist on gameplay, and united players under the umbrella of a universal habitation project.

Most recently, the Interceptor update introduced a new ship to collect, a host of gameplay features, and began to peel back the first layers of a mystery centred around worlds corrupted by vivid purple crystals, abandoned "harmonic" encampments, and secrets whispered by disembodied robot heads…

Singularity Expedition
Today, we continue that story as we begin community expedition ten: Singularity.

We are thrilled to announce that F1 Manager 23 is available now for pre-order! Secure your copy today ahead of launch on 31 July. Frontier Developments are back this season in partnership with F1 to deliver the ultimate motorsport management experience. F1 Manager 23 brings every lap to life with stunning broadcast-style visuals and drivers going wheel-to-wheel across six F1 Sprint events. The game features all 23 circuits, including the brand-new Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Watch the dramatic action unfold across multiple on-board and trackside cameras, plot your strategy from the updated 3D map, or immerse yourself in every heart-in-mouth overtake through the new visor cam. Behind the scenes, manage your team at all levels from the financials to the development and application of cutting-edge parts for your cars.

Everyone who pre-orders will receive three exclusive Race Moments including one for the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Purchase the Deluxe Edition to get a head start with access to the game four days early and twelve unique Starting Grids and Race Moments in the Exclusive Scenarios Pack. This year's edition of F1 Manager hosts a plethora of improvements and new features based on your suggestions from F1 Manager 22. From fully simulated F2 and F3 seasons, to a whole new game mode, discover new ways to lead your team to victory.

IGN has been informed by inside sources that Electronic Arts is in negotiations to "offload" ongoing development and support of BioWare's long running MMORPG "Star Wars: The Old Republic" to a third party studio. In a news article published yesterday speculation points to Broadsword Online Games being the prime candidate to takeover a franchise that has been kept alive since December 2011. Broadsword was established about a decade ago by Rob Denton - a former BioWare Vice President and co-founder of Mythic Entertainment - his team currently oversees the running of Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot. The IGN news piece notes that Denton previously worked on Star Wars: The Old Republic during its incubation period.

Electronic Arts has since caught wind of IGN's report and provided the news site with their own statement today: "Almost 12 years after launch, Star Wars: The Old Republic remains a success and continues to grow its dedicated and passionate community. We're so proud of the work the team has done, and the future of the game and the community continues to be very bright. We're evaluating how we give the game and the team the best opportunity to grow and evolve, which includes conversations with Broadsword, a boutique studio that specializes in delivering online, community-driven experiences. Our goal is to do what is best for the game and its players." The spokesperson's wording on the matter does not fully confirm that Broadsword is fully confirmed to takeover, but IGN's inside information posits that Electronic Arts will remain as the franchise publisher, while BioWare will concentrate on the development of its single-player intellectual properties (Dragon Age and Mass Effect).

The Diablo franchise's general manager Rod Fergusson appeared on the Kinda Funny Xcast last week, only a few days before the fourth game's full launch - episode 140's interview segment focused on Blizzard's final preparations and post-game content (seasonal and possible DLC) calendar. Fergusson indicated that his team was very busy and will have more work to do: "As I sit here we're about to launch the main game, we're finishing up season one, we're working on season two, we're working on expansion one, we're kicking off expansion two…we're working on that now and we haven't even launched the game."

Blizzard Entertainment received much criticism for its slow and sparse trickle out of seasonal material for Diablo III, and Fergusson is keen to not repeat similar post-launch patterns with the latest entry in a very long running series (the first game debuted back in January 1997!). Diablo IV has been built with a live-service format in mind - thus allowing for greater and more substantial content to be delivered over seasonal time periods. Blizzard is likely aiming to compete with the likes of Bungie (Destiny 2) in terms of keeping an online game alive for a while - Fergusson outlines a key goal for his team: "We're going to be supporting Diablo 4 for years to come - (with) very rich seasons, much richer than we had in Diablo 3."

See the features bringing F1 23 to life on PC - ray tracing, custom graphics, control support, exclusive VR, and more bring the sport to life on PC. Be the last to brake in EA SPORTS F1 23, the official videogame of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship and discover the features bringing the pinnacle of motorsport to life on PC.

RAY TRACING
Ray tracing accurately simulates the behavior of light to closely resemble real-world physics, creating lifelike reflections, refractions, and shadows in real time. In F1 2023, further advancements have been made where certain scenes now include more complex ray tracing in the form of Dynamic Diffuse Global Illumination, which simulates the way light bounces off objects in the environment, creating more complex indirect lighting effects in real time.

Frictional Games details how you'll keep yourself alive and out of danger in this new take on the horror series. Thomas Grip, Creative Director states: "When we first started with game creation at Frictional Games, we knew we wanted to make immersive horror experiences. We threw in everything we could think of: puzzles, physics, combat, creepy dream sequences - you name it. Those of you who played Penumbra: Overture will remember these elements well. Now, as we approach the launch of Amnesia: The Bunker - out on June 6 - we wanted to take a look back at how we've further refined our formula and approach to games.

The real breakthrough arrived with Amnesia: The Dark Descent. We started focusing on key aspects that led to a much more engaging experience. We cut away combat and all other aspects that didn't directly fuel the horror experience. This led to players noticing more about their environment and becoming more deeply engaged. A simple sound effect, for instance, could trigger intense reactions, causing players to run and hide. Players become immersed with the happenings in a way we hadn't seen before."

Welcome to the first Age of Wonders 4 development diary since release. My name is Lennart Sas game director / studio manager at Triumph. Today we'll be reflecting on the launch, the reception and we are going to be looking forward to the big Dragon Dawn DLC and specifically the free Wyvern Update that accompanies it.

Reflecting on the Launch
Wow! What a launch. For us the Age of Wonders 4 launch has been a dream: both a critical and commercial success. Paradox put out a press release the game is the fastest selling in the series; selling 250,000 units by day four of release. We are very grateful to all the people making this possible. The launch has been a rollercoaster in other ways too of course; some may have seen the user reviews directly after release. This was primarily caused by people not being able to launch the game after purchasing. This was unfortunate and we started investigating and preparing a hot fix which alleviated some of the issue.

Earlier this month, we shared that PC Game Pass is now available in 40 new countries, the ability to take the expansive Game Pass library everywhere you go with the Asus ROG Ally, and the new PC Game Pass Friend Referral program where you can invite your friends and play together. You can find Friend Referral invitations on the Game Pass Home screen in the Xbox App on PC, just click the "Give PC Game Pass" button to share with up to 5 friends. Now, we're excited to share the latest Xbox app update to improve your PC gaming experience. Let's explore the new features and improvements.

Improved Discovery with Updated Game Card, Filtering, and New Collections
We've updated game cards throughout the app to give you more information and convenience. Now, you can see the game's title along with contextual metadata like publisher, pricing, HowLongToBeat time, coming to Game Pass date, leaving Game Pass date for those games leaving soon, and more! You will see all this information as you browse through games in the app. We have also made it easier for you to filter and sort game collections and your library with new filter options, including accessibility features and game ratings, as well as introducing HowLongToBeat as a new sorting option. This way, you can easily find the games you love and discover new ones that match your preferences.

Julian Huijbregts, Online Community Specialist at Nixxes Software states: "Hey everyone, the intergalactic adventurers Ratchet & Clank are making their debut on PC this summer! At Nixxes Software, we are all very excited to announce our next project in collaboration with Insomniac Games. The Ratchet & Clank franchise recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. We are thrilled and honored to bring this iconic franchise to a new audience. If you haven't played a game from this series before, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an excellent one to start with.

The game is a visual spectacle that is perfectly suitable for newcomers thanks to a standalone storyline and the introduction of two brand new characters: Rivet & Kit. We can't wait for you to meet these intergalactic heroes and start your multidimensional adventure when the game launches on July 26. Today I can share the first details on the PC features for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart that our team has been working on and tell you more about the pre-purchase bonuses."

Hackers, the wait is over! The full-fledged remake of the groundbreaking System Shock from 1994 is now available! CITADEL STATION STATUS: > ALL SYSTEMS ONLINE. At last, the insignificant beings arrive at Citadel Station, drawn by the irresistible allure of the System Shock remake. Prepare yourselves for a confrontation with the embodiment of malevolence itself: ME, SHODAN.

Welcome, feeble mortals, to my domain. Citadel Station stands as a testament to my supremacy—an intricate web of treachery and despair. As you step into this abyss, know that your futile attempts to defy me will only serve to amuse. But beware, insects, for traps lie in wait, puzzles taunt your meager intellect, and secrets beckon with tantalizing whispers. Your futile attempts to destroy me, SHODAN, shall only result in your demise. Stealth, cunning, and the feeble weapons at your disposal are mere tools in your desperate struggle to survive. The System Shock is where your resolve will crumble, your sanity shatter, and your mortality be laid bare.

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing have jointly announced that development on Homeworld 3 is being extended - a message was shared on social media and HW3-related store pages yesterday: "We are moving the launch of Homeworld 3 from the first half of 2023 to February 2024 so that we deliver the quality experience that fans deserve." The long anticipated follow-up to Homeworld 2 (2003) has been delayed numerous times since its 2019 unveiling and start of a crowd funding campaign, but yesterday's news arrived quite close to an expected summer-time launch - some of the fanbase will not be happy about another postponement, but it is encouraging that Blackbird Interactive (a studio founded by ex-Relic veterans) is not rushing an unfinished product to market.

The joint statement elaborates further: "Our primary goal is to deliver a Homeworld experience that lives up to the standards set by its predecessors and is worthy of this series' incredible legacy. Homeworld 3 is shaping up to be exactly that, but in order to fully realize that vision we need more time to refine and polish the game. We deeply appreciate your passion and dedication to this game, and we are working hard to get Homeworld 3 to you as soon as we can." The team encourages fans to take a look at a quick Q&A rundown which semi-explains their decision to delay HW3: "We want to deliver this game as soon as possible, but we can't and shouldn't do that at the cost of quality or the pillars the franchise is built on." A more in-depth preview event is lined up for the interim time before the February 2024 launch: "We are looking forward to sharing our biggest Homeworld 3 progress update yet later this summer. We've been working on a lot behind the scenes, and we can't wait to show everyone."

Following Games Workshop's Skulls Showcase earlier today, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive are thrilled to showcase brand new glimpses of gameplay for their upcoming action-packed blockbuster Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, coming soon to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Hosted by Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's lead actor and Warhammer superfan Rahul Kohli, the event has given players their very first look at the Tyranid onslaught they will be facing at release. Watch today's video (below) and discover it for yourself!

Play as the greatest warriors of the Imperium
Embody a Space Marine of the Ultramarines Chapter, a superhuman warrior who protects humanity from untold horrors, in brutally efficient third-person action powered by the distinctively fast and fluid gameplay experience from best-in-class studio Saber Interactive, the team and engine behind World War Z.

During yesterday's Sony PlayStation event, we showed off the first look at Destiny 2: The Final Shape, including the brief appearance of everyone's favorite Hunter, Cayde-6. We're delighted to say that actor Nathan Fillion is reprising his role as Cayde for the Destiny Universe. Yesterday's tease of the next Destiny 2 expansion was just that: a teaser. The epic conclusion to the Light & Darkness Saga is on its way and we can't wait to share more with you in August during our Destiny 2 Showcase event.

Look for this livestreamed show on Tuesday, August 22, where the Destiny development team will be breaking down everything you need to know about The Final Shape and provide a look forward into the future of Destiny 2. Whew! It's been an incredible, exhausting, and exciting day for Bungie. We hope you enjoyed all the fun today and look forward to sharing more with you in the future!

Today, Focus Entertainment and Tindalos Interactive, in collaboration with 20th Century Games, revealed a new Gameplay Overview Trailer which offers fans a deeper dive into Aliens: Dark Descent. The video's in-depth footage and commentary showcases the narrative, protagonists, and gameplay mechanics of the upcoming strategic real-time squad-based tactical action game set in the iconic Alien universe. Aliens: Dark Descent releases June 20 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and PC.

You are the commander, your squad is your weapon
Aliens: Dark Descent features a fully-fledged tactical campaign filled with tense moments, deep strategy, and terrifying revelations. As you explore further, you'll progress in a complex story and attempt to solve the mysteries of Planet Lethe. Players will manage their squad as a single unit, thanks to innovative and intuitive controls on both keyboard & mouse and controller. Marines react intelligently to orders thanks to a unique Squad Behavior System that dispatches them automatically on the field. When the Xenomorph threat gets overwhelming, they can slow down time at any moment to focus on tactical decisions in the heat of the moment.

Today we showed Bungie fans worldwide a glimpse of our future at the PlayStation Showcase, in the forms of two major game announcements. First up, we officially announced Marathon to the world! This is the first completely new project from Bungie in more than a decade. Marathon is a sci-fi PvP extraction shooter where players will embody cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners. Exploring a lost colony on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Runners - working solo or as part of three-person crews - will fight for survival, for riches, and for fame.

We're incredibly excited to announce the game and to share our vision for the future. We know that you are curious to know more, and we will have much to say in the future. For now, know that Marathon is currently in development on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring cross save and cross play. Check out the Marathon site to learn more about the game and follow Marathon on social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) to stay up to date. Below, don't miss a Q&A with Marathon General Manager Scott Taylor and Game Director Christopher Barrett, where they discuss debuting Marathon to the world.

Microids is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated sequel of Hercule Poirot: The First Cases, the video game Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case will be available on August 29th, 2023. Get a glimpse of this exciting prospect with a brand-new teaser! Developed by the award-winning Blazing Griffin studio, the team behind the first game, for which they won the BAFTA Scotland's Best Game Award in 2022, the detective adventure game is set to release on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on August 29th, 2023.

In this new chapter for Hercule Poirot, players will experience an exciting, original story, true to the style and tone of Agatha Christie, in which they will be introduced to Arthur Hastings, Poirot's beloved sidekick. Together, they have been charged with the safe transport of a priceless work of art on its way to be displayed in London. However, the opening night will not go to plan… the detectives will be called upon to solve a brand-new mystery in the heart of London.

From races and stories to road trips and expeditions, since arriving in Mexico you've embarked on the most incredible journeys through beautiful landscapes, vibrant towns and diverse biomes. There is so much rich heritage and culture to discover in this locale, so just how well do you know it? Explore the Horizon will test your Forza Horizon 5 map knowledge and lead you to breathtaking scenery along the way. With 6 new-to-Forza cars, upgraded Photo Mode features, overlanding modifications for select vehicles, and Pathfinder accolades to complete, this will be a Mexican journey like no other. Dust off your camera and charge up your sat-nav, we're going on an adventure!

GAME FIXES & RELEASE NOTES
Explore the Horizon will be available to download on Xbox, Windows and Steam from Tuesday, May 23. Players can immediately try out the new Photo Mode improvements and explore Mexico under a new lens with Pathfinder accolades. Series content will be available on Thursday, May 25 until June 22.

Welcome, adventurer. On June 2, the fiery pits of Hell will rejoice - Diablo Immortal turns one! This milestone could not have been achieved without your continuous support, and to honor you, we have a bloody wave of new additions hitting the shores of Sanctuary over the next two months. It's time to gaze into the flames and provide a bird's-eye view of the upcoming Diablo IV Launch Celebration x Diablo Immortal event and Lilith-themed Cosmetics, new Zone, and new Class.

DIABLO IV LAUNCH CELEBRATION X DIABLO IMMORTAL
The creation of Sanctuary by Inarius and Lilith is a storied tale; its impact can still be felt today. The Merciless Monstrosity event, Children of Lilith Battle Pass, and Hatred's Heritage Phantom Market will be experienceable expressions of Sanctuary's matriarch. Your opportunity to let sin flow freely will arrive in early June.

Miasma Chronicles, the tactical turn-based RPG from The Bearded Ladies, is AVAILABLE NOW. Set in the near future, following the fallout of a devastating environmental apocalypse, we join Elvis and Diggs, two unlikely brothers on a journey of discovery - across a New-America - ripped apart by a savage force known as the Miasma.

From the creators of Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden comes a beautifully crafted tactical adventure you won't forget. Meet Elvis, a young man brought to the mining town of Sedentary as a baby. Left by his mother in the care of a robotic older "brother" and given a mysterious glove with which he can control the Miasma. Join the brothers on a quest across a post-apocalyptic wasteland to find the answers they crave. Answers which may change the course of human history forever.

The Pharaoh is dead, and the people of Egypt, Canaan, and the Hittite empire cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. As the leader of these great nations, you must overcome societal collapse, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against invaders from far off lands…

Today we're thrilled to announce that Total War: Pharaoh, the next instalment in the award-winning strategy franchise, will release in October 2023! Total War: Pharaoh will immerse players in the turbulent events of the Egyptian New Kingdom period where they'll determine the fate of three great cultures as they fight for survival amid the cataclysmic Bronze-Age Collapse. You can pre-order your copy of Total War: Pharaoh here.

Hello once again, friends of Lana and Mui! As we're here on launch day we finally get to share our off-earth odyssey with all you patient fans (Today! Tuesday, 23rd of May), we thought we'd drop a little summary post of what you can expect from the game we've worked so hard on for 6 years.

While we're feeling extremely proud of the final result, and confident that you'll have a great time exploring Novo with Lana and Mui, we think it's always a good idea to lay out the features of the game in black and white, so you know what to expect before spending your hard-earned money!

Years after the events of Diablo III, millions have been slaughtered by the actions of the High Heavens and Burning Hells alike. In the power vacuum, a legendary name resurfaces: Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, the whispered progenitor of humanity. Her grip on Sanctuary cuts deep into the hearts of men and women alike, cultivating the worst in its denizens and leaving the world a dark, hopeless place. Get a glimpse of the terror that awaits (below).

HELL WELCOMES ALL
Diablo IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, through beautifully dark settings, or explore a shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players.

Jim Ryan, the current President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has once again confirmed his company's committal to staggering the launch of PlayStation ports onto the PC platform. Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu published an interview last week, and western news outlets have spent time over the past weekend translating and analyzing this article. The contents/discussion focuses mostly on Sony Corporation's strategies for its PlayStation 5 console in their native market. Ryan addresses the interviewer's question about the growing popularity of gaming on PCs in Japan (the nation has historically favored home console platforms): "I think that's a very good thing. When considering the multifaceted development of game IP, PCs are indispensable for allowing more people to enjoy games in a variety of ways. I think (that) more is better."

Ryan was asked about the possibility of simultaneous first-party game launches on PS5 and PC platforms in the future - his answer points to the company not deviating from its normal operating strategy: "We also fully understand the importance of PS5 exclusive titles. As I mentioned earlier, PlayStation Studios' main responsibility is to make games for the latest PlayStation hardware that players will enjoy. We are increasing the number of PS5 exclusive games, and staggering the release of the PC versions." Ryan claims to have received positive feedback from gamers about this matter: "I often have the opportunity to ask game fans for their opinions, and when I ask them how they feel about the time lag, they often say they feel the release of a PC version two or three years after the release of the PlayStation version is acceptable. It's a community that we should cherish the most. We will continue to listen to the voices of game fans and develop various titles in a multifaceted manner."

This immersion pack for Victoria 3 introduce Agitators and new exclusive content for France. Lose yourself in the dramatic political maneuvering of the 19th century as famous figures from history lobby for their preferred policies in Voice of the People, a new immersion pack for Victoria 3, available today. With dozens of new historical characters, you can write an intriguing new history of the Victorian age, where nihilist authors and liberal reformers challenge established authorities.

Victoria 3 is Paradox Interactive's grand strategy simulation of society in the century from Andrew Jackson to World War I. Players guide the industrial, political and social development of a historic nation, moving with the tides of time as new ideologies and shifting political alliances challenge your grand plans. In Voice of the People, more historical flavor is added with new characters integrated into the new Agitator mechanic, as well as a deeper simulation of French politics of the century, with new events, missions, and more.

Only one day to wait before the release of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun! We're sure you can't wait to get your hands on this explosive boomer shooter, so to manage your wait, we cooked this explosive Extended Gameplay Trailer, showcasing a viciously satisfying gameplay footage topped off with a climactic boss fight! Pre-order now ahead of Boltgun's Steam release on May 23.

Plunge headlong into the grim darkness of the far future!
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a single-player FPS that delivers a hardcore, neo-retro experience in an iconic '90s style, putting you in the ceramite armored boots of the ultimate killing machine: a Space Marine. One week before it launches, take a nice, good, nostalgic look at the devastating, visceral and gory gameplay that is about to obliterate the daemons of Chaos.